Grandson Charged With Manslaughter In Arnold Woman's Death

ARNOLD, MD — An Anne Arundel County man charged with attacking his grandmother, mother and sister during an argument last fall in their home has been in a psychiatric hospital, but is now charged with manslaughter. Joel Johnson-Liphart, 19, reportedly assaulted all three women on Oct. 8, 2017, at the family home in the 1200 block of Taylor Avenue in Arnold. The victims told Anne Arundel County Police that Johnson-Liphart, who also lives at that address, injured his seventy-two-year-old grandmother, Doreatha Hoagland.

Johnson-Liphart was taken to the Baltimore Washington Medical Center for an injury to his hand while Hoagland was taken to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for a facial injury. While being treated at Shock Trauma, Hoagland’s health deteriorated and she died on Oct. 23, police say.

Anne Arundel County homicide detectives were notified Hoagland’s death and began an investigation. Authorities learned that Johnson-Liphart had become upset and reportedly assaulted his 45-year-old mother and his 24-year-old sister, along with pushing and assaulting Hoagland.

On Oct. 26, detectives obtained an arrest warrant and arrested Johnson-Liphart for first-degree assault, second-degree assault and two counts of reckless endangerment for the assault on his mother. He was also charged with the second-degree assault of his sister and grandmother. As a result of the assault and arrest, he was placed at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt psychiatric hospital in Towson.

After the autopsy and review of Hoaglands’ medical records, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Jan. 20 ruled her cause of death as multiple injuries with complications and the manner being homicide. Detectives worked with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office and on Feb. 2, Johnson-Liphart was indicted with involuntary manslaughter in the death of his grandmother.

Hoagland's death marks the 14th homicide in Anne Arundel County in 2017.

Photo of Joel Johnson-Liphart, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police